The priests grew more intolerant of Abinadi's words as the prophet refused to recant what he had said. They twisted and turned the meaning of his warnings so that the king became exceeding angry. Noah's anger flared fiercely as they accused Abinadi of using abusive and insulting speech toward him. The priests said, "He has reviled the king." This ribald accusation stirred up Noah's pride and arrogance to a point where he could no longer resist their evil clamor, "and he delivered him up that he might be slain."